In 2017, about 3.1 million first residence permits were issued in the European Union (EU) to non-EU citizens.
The number increased almost by 4% (or 112 000) compared with 2016. Employment reasons accounted for almost
one-third (32%) of all first residence permits issued in the EU in 2017, family reasons for 26%, education reasons
for 17%, and other reasons, including international protection, for 24%.
The increase in the total number of first residence permits in 2017 in comparison with 2016 was mainly due to the
increasing number of first permits issued for employment reasons (up by 155 000, or 18%), family reasons (up by
49 000, or 6%) and education reasons (up by 30 000, or 6%), whereas the number of first permits issued for other
reasons decreased by 123 000 (-14%).
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